How to Grow Beetroot

Beetroot is one of the easiest veggies to grow at home. Plus, it’s loaded with incredible flavour and healthy nutrients. Here’s the 5 simply steps to growing your own beautiful beets.

1. Prep the soil

Preparing the soil is a must. Loosen medium-rich soil with a fork and mix in some compost and manure. It’s also a great idea to add a bit of blood and bone. Our Garden Mix already contains blood and bone as well as other nutrients, so you don’t have to worry about adding this in.

2. Soak the Seeds

Before the day of planting, soak the seeds overnight. This will make separating the seeds easier and will also encourage germination and healthy-sized plants.

3. Start Sowing

Sow your seeds 2 cm deep and at least 5-10 cm apart from one another.

Setting a good distance in between and planting in rows will make them easier to care for down the track.

4. caring for the seeds

Water daily until leaves begin to sprout, keeping them moist rather than wet. This is will create beets that are tender and tasty.

Once they’re germinated, water every couple of days for the first month or so. This will reduce the risk of rot as it helps prevent the beets from drying out or cracking.

Use a liquid fertilizer fortnightly to help maintain nutrients. Also make sure the top of the bulb is covered with soil to avoid discolouration and ‘corkiness’ at the top.

5. Harvest your beautiful beets

For sweeter and juicer beets, harvest after 2-3 months at around golf ball size. Most people will harvest alternatively, digging out some baby beets now and allowing others to develop fully. To prevent bleeding (which reduces flavour and colour), remove the leaves by twisting them with your hand at around 5 cm above the top. The leaves are also full of flavour and can be cooked in the same way as spinach, so don't throw these away.

Enjoy!

From being boiled, roasted or shaved raw into salads, to being juiced or transformed into a healthy hummus - there are so many delicious ways to enjoy beetroots!